Protocol

2. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation used via the tube at 25 to 40 cm H2O to -25 to -40 cm H2O pressures up to every 10 minutes as needed to reverse oxyhemoglobin desaturations due to airway mucus accumulation and when there is auscultatory evidence of secretion accumulation. Abdominal thrusts are applied during exsufflation. Tube and upper airway are suctioned following use of expiratory aids as needed.

3. Expiratory aids used when desaturations occur.

4. Ventilator weaning attempted without permitting hypercapnia.

5. Extubation attempted whether or not the patient is ventilator weaned when meeting the following:

A. Afebrile

B. No supplemental oxygen requirement to maintain SaO2 >94%

C. Chest radiograph abnormalities cleared or clearing

D. Any respiratory depressants discontinued

E. Airway suctioning required less than 1-2x/eight hours

F. Coryza diminished sufficiently so that suctioning of the nasal orifices is required less than once every 6 hours (important to facilitate use of nasal prongs/mask for post-extubation nasal ventilation)

6. Extubation to continuous nasal ventilation and no supplemental oxygen.

7. Oximetry feedback used to guide the use of expiratory aids, postural drainage, and chest physical therapy to reverse any desaturations due to airway mucus accumulation.

8. With CO2 retention or ventilator synchronization difficulties nasal interface leaks were eliminated, pressure support and ventilator rate increased or the patient switched from BiPAP-ST to using a volume cycled ventilator. Persistent oxyhemoglobin desaturation despite eucapnia and aggressive use of expiratory aids indicated impending respiratory distress and need to re-intubate.

9. Following re-intubation the protocol was used for a second trial of extubation to nasal ventilation
...or following successful extubation bronchodilators and chest physical therapy were discontinued and the patient weaned to nocturnal nasal ventilation.

10. Discharge home after the SaO2 remained within normal limits for 2 days and when assisted coughing was needed less than 4 times per day.